Summer 2026 Scene
The Madison Scene - Summer 2026
Inspiring passion for learning and leading
Madison Simis, Rose Lane, Heights, and Madison Traditional Academy
Madison Meadows, No. 1, and Madison Traditional Academy
Letter from the Superintendent
Dear Madison Community,
Hello Madison Community,
I hope you and your family are having an enjoyable summer. At Madison, we are gearing up for the 2026-2027 school year. We’re excited to welcome our new, returning, and kindergarten students!
It is hard to believe that I am beginning my fifth school year as superintendent. In that time, I have learned so much about this wonderful community.
We are incredibly grateful for our amazing partners and volunteers. A big thank you to our:
- Local Business Partners: For your consistent willingness to support our schools.
- Community & Faith-Based Volunteers: For giving your time in our classrooms, volunteering for campus special projects, and participating in our interfaith meetings.
- Project Oasis & Partner Organizations: For volunteering to support our students.
- Parents & Families: For your hands-on dedication and volunteer hours.
Each individual helps to create a strong community, focused on our shared goal of providing the best opportunities and education for our students.
There are many ways to get involved. Whether you would like to read to children, volunteer on a community project, support the Madison Education Foundation, or join a group to advocate for public education, we would love to partner with you. Please feel free to email me at kguerin@madisoned.org if you have interest in supporting our wonderful school district community.
As we begin this new school year together, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support. We can’t wait to see our students learn and grow in the year ahead.
I wish you and your family a wonderful start to the new school year!
Sincerely, Dr. Kimberly Guerin
Madison School District Superintendent
Welcoming New Leaders
Madison is excited to welcome new members to our school leadership teams and celebrate familiar faces taking on new roles! Visit madisonaz.org/leadership to learn more.
Madison Camelview Elementary
Lindsay Murray, Principal
Madison Traditional Academy
Brooke Sachak, Principal
Madison Traditional Academy
Stephen Combs, Assistant Principal
Madison Simis Elementary
Ashley Bohlman, Principal
Madison Simis Elementary
Lora Dryden, Assistant Principal
Madison No. 1 Middle School
Mandy Smith, Assistant Principal
Madison Rose Lane Unveils New Mascot and Rebuild Updates
Madison Rose Lane Elementary is embarking on an exciting new era, marked by a campus rebuild and a new mascot: The Rose Lane Rising Stars.
Created with input from students, staff, and families, the new mascot was developed through a collaborative process and represents the creativity and kindness of the Rose Lane community, the confidence and lifelong skills students develop through the programs, and the school’s unique identity as a high-quality visual and performing arts school for elementary age students.
The adoption of the new mascot coincides with the near-completion of the first phase of the ongoing campus rebuild, which is scheduled to open for students and teachers in August.
The updated facilities in phase one include new classrooms, a new library, collaboration spaces and dedicated studios specifically designed for the school’s visual and performing arts programs, including art, music, dance, and theater.
The investment in the new Rose Lane campus is part of Madison School District’s ongoing commitment to providing students with safe, modern, and innovative learning environments. The project has been made possible through the support of local voters who approved district bond initiatives.
Madison Rose Lane is an A-rated elementary school serving preschool through 4th grade students. As home to Madison School District’s elementary Visual and Performing Arts Signature Program, students receive daily instruction in the arts, allowing them to discover and develop their unique talents, and learn important lifelong skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and leadership.
Important Dates
- August 11: First Day of School
- September 7: Labor Day
- October 9: Teacher Planning Day - No School
- October 12-16: Fall Break October
- 28-30: Parent/Teacher Conferences
- November 11: Veteran’s Day
- November 25-27: Thanksgiving Break
- December 18: Teacher Planning Day - No School
- December 21-January 3: Winter Break
View the full calendar at madisonaz.org/calendar.
Back-to-School Information
Tips, Tricks, & To-Do's
Make sure to check your school’s calendar in ParentSquare to stay up to date with school and class events.
Set out backpacks, lunches, clothes, and water bottles the night before. A few minutes of preparation each evening can make mornings less stressful and help everyone start the school day on the right foot.
Download the MyRide K-12 App from the Google Play Store or Apple Store to access your child’s route information and more. Learn more at madisonaz.org/bus.
Check out the interactive breakfast and lunch menus at madisonaz.org/foodandnutrition.
Read together for just 20 minutes a day. It helps rebuild reading stamina after summer break and sets students up for a strong start in the classroom.
Make sure your child has a consistent school sleep schedule.
Follow us on social media to keep up-to-date with what’s happening around Madison.
Free & Reduced Price Meal Applications
It’s more than a meal application! We encourage all families to fill out the free and reduced price meal application to determine if they are eligible for this benefit. As a result of funding approved for the 2026-2027 school year by the Arizona Department of Education, families who qualify for either free or reduced-price meals do not pay anything for school breakfast or lunch.
In addition to free and reduced-price meals, families may qualify for reduced prices on other important services. Schools also receive additional funding based on the number of families who qualify, which provides valuable opportunities and important resources for students. During the school year, paper applications are available in your school’s front office or café or can be filled out online anytime at linqconnect.com.
Visit madisonaz.org/foodandnutrition or scan to learn more and fill out an application!
The Importance of Regular Attendance
Every school day matters.
When students miss school—even for excused reasons—they miss important lessons, interactions and learning opportunities that are hard to make up. Over time, absences add up and can impact a student’s academic progress and confidence.
Consistent attendance supports strong learning habits, long-term success, and social development. Madison is committed to partnering with our families to support regular attendance of our students.
Let’s work together to help every student thrive—starting with showing up. When students are present, they’re more likely to succeed in school and beyond.
If you need assistance or resources, we are here to help.
Stay Connected with ParentSquare
Madison School District has launched ParentSquare to reach and engage every family, helping ensure all families have the opportunity to actively participate in their children’s education.
ParentSquare, a simple and unified school-to-home communication platform, allows parents and guardians in Madison to receive communications from the district, their child’s school, classrooms, and school activity groups.
ParentSquare Features:
- Enjoy photos and classroom updates posted by your child’s teachers
- Receive urgent and important alerts
- Engage in direct messaging with real-time language translation
Activate your account today! Visit madisonaz.org/parentsquare to learn more about our school-to-home communication platform.
Inspire Your Child's Passion for Learning & Leading
Madison School District offers a variety of Signature Programs which allows families to choose the type of education that is right for their child.
REACH and Gifted Programs
Madison’s gifted programs are designed to meet the unique educational needs of gifted students at every age. We offer several specialized programs that challenge and support K – 8 students in reaching their full academic potential; the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Models (SCGM) for grades K – 4, Honors/Advanced for grades 5 – 8, and at two Madison schools, REACH - Profoundly Gifted for grades 1 – 8.
Offered at: Madison Heights Elementary and Madison Park Middle School
Visual & Performing Arts
Madison’s Visual & Performing Arts program offers K – 8 grade students a rich and diverse arts education, with opportunities to explore a variety of electives, including art, dance, music, and theater. Students also have the opportunity to perform at the Madison Center for the Arts.
Professional dance floors, dedicated theater spaces, and teachers certified in the arts provide students with the ideal environment to explore their artistic endeavors. Through this program, students develop creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Offered at: Madison Rose Lane Elementary and Madison No. 1 Middle School
Traditional Academy
Madison Traditional Academy (MTA) is the only preschool – 8th grade school in the Madison School District. MTA focuses on cultivating a solid foundation of fundamental and higher-level thinking skills through a structured and sequential curriculum. Students are challenged to excel academically through a rigorous program, working one year above grade level in math and engaging in an advanced language arts curriculum.
Offered at: Madison Traditional Academy
Spanish Immersion
Students enrolled in the Madison Heights Elementary 50/50 Spanish Immersion program receive half of their academic content in Spanish, including science and social studies.
Madison provides a seamless transition to the Spanish Immersion program at Madison No. 1 Middle School, where middle school students participate in Spanish acquisition classes. Madison’s Spanish Immersion students emerge as confident, culturally experienced, fluent Spanish speakers who are prepared for academic success.
Offered at: Madison Heights Elementary and Madison No. 1 Middle School
STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math
Madison’s STEAM signature program offers an educational experience that extends beyond the traditional classroom and teaches students to engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.
Through hands-on, engaging activities and projects, students develop a strong foundation for future success and have the opportunities and skills to innovate, create, and lead. Through our STEAM program, students develop the critical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in STEAM-focused high schools and beyond.
Offered at: Madison Camelview Elementary and Madison Park Middle School
International Baccalaureate®
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Programme is designed to develop inquiring, caring, knowledgeable, and young individuals who are prepared to work, live, and make positive contributions in a complex and evolving global society. The IB framework emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based learning, fostering students’ natural curiosity and encouraging them to build on their existing knowledge.
Offered at: Madison Simis Elementary and Madison Meadows Middle School
Open enrollment applications are now available for the 2026-2027 school year. Visit madisonaz.org/enroll to learn more!
Join the Madison Team
At Madison, you'll find a welcoming and supportive environment that fosters collaboration, growth, and development. We take pride in our positive atmosphere and strong sense of community, making it not just a job, but a place where careers flourish.
Employee benefits:
- Competitive salaries
- Health insurance & wellness benefits
- Retirement plans
- Generous paid holidays & time off
- Professional development opportunities
- Positive workplace culture
- Family & community oriented environment
Current opportunities:
- Bus Drivers
- Before & After School Program Club Leaders (MAC)
- Teachers & Guest Teachers
- Special Education Paraprofessionals
- And More!
Visit madisonaz.org/jobs to hear from our amazing staff members about why they love working at Madison!
“Being a part of the Madison School District is like having a home away from home. It is a pleasure to come into work everyday.”
Gabriela Garcia, Madison Bus Driver
“Madison has such a great community, everyday there are welcoming smiles all around from staff, kids, and the parents! Madison shows a shining example of what a district portrays; excellence, a nurturing environment, and unwavering support for students.”
Alexis Thompson, Site Coordinator
